Fla. Bar Probes at Least 35 Lawyers in Alleged Ponzi Schemer’s Firm
The Florida Bar is investigating at least 35 lawyers who practiced law with alleged Ponzi schemer Scott Rothstein.
Ethics investigators are probing whether senior lawyers from Rothstein Rosenfeldt Adler made false representations to the Florida Bar when they certified client trust accounts and whether they misappropriated money from the accounts, the Miami Herald (reg. req.) reports.
At least 35 of the lawyers at the now disbanded law firm listed themselves as partners or shareholders in legal directories, although Rothstein and name partner Stuart Rosenfeldt have said they were the only shareholders. Rothstein is expected to plead guilty on Jan. 27 in the alleged $1.2 billion Ponzi scheme.
Florida Bar President Jesse Diner told the Miami Herald that the bar takes the issue very seriously. “The bar is actively investigating and will pursue remedies against anyone who has violated any rules,” he told the newspaper. “This investigation didn’t stop with Scott Rothstein.”
Prior coverage at ABAJournal.com:
Indicted Lawyer Had Nearly 21M in American Express Reward Points
Will Others Be Charged in Alleged $1.2B Scheme By Founder of Fla. Law Firm?
Ex-Attorney Mulls Plea in Alleged $1.2B Scheme as Trustee Sues Firm Partner for $4M
